The History of Reiki:

The Japanese translation of Reiki is Rei meaning “spiritual” and Ki meaning “energy”. In the west, the word represents a healing system. Reiki was given, formulated and developed by Dr Mikao Usui (1865-1926) who was a Japanese man born a samurai and belonging to a privileged family. Being an avid student of the way of the samurai, Usui (as he is known) had strong connections to esoteric Buddhism as well as Zen teachings and meditations. His desired intention was to find a way to bring this 'spiritual life energy' (Reiki) into a process that could be taught and made available in a lasting way. During his quest he found ancient writings containing some sacred symbols which were later incorporated into Reiki. He intentionally went on a spiritual journey to Karama Mountain in Japan where he stayed alone for 21 days. Dr Usui selected Mount Kurama as it had been known for centuries as a ‘power’ place for 'visions' and experiences of enlightenment. He meditated on his ancient findings with an intent to create what we now know as Reiki. The symbols were then explained and became clear to him as how to make this knowledge useful and practical. He gathered a pile of 21 stones and each morning he would throw one away to count the days. On the last morning, he was initiated into the light and Dr Usui could now give and initiate others into it. One of the special Zen meditations (visualisations as they were then known) that he practiced was 'Morning Star Meditation'. There were apparently other special Zen meditations he practiced at this time too. The 'Morning Star Meditation' had amazing healing power and had been performed by the famous Japanese monk, Kukai,  1,200 years before. Usui didn't name his teachings Reiki. They were called ‘Usui do’ instead which meant ‘the way of Usui’ and his healings were called ‘Usui treate’ or ‘hands on healing’. He instructed his students and his practices have been passed down via initiation along a Reiki and Seichim linage. Everything contains Ki ( energy ) and it is unlimited. It is a sacred and universal life force or energy of which we are all connected to. In Yoga this is known as Prana and in China it’s termed Chi.

About Reiki:

A practitioner is a channel giving energy that can be sensed from whatever spot or Chakra of a person or animal that is accepting it. The techniques are performed to balance and clear build ups .The breath changes and becomes deeper and meditative as one lets go of fear, trauma and all negativity. Then we can work at the body, mind and spiritual level. Breath is the means to transport out stress, anxiety and decrease physical and mental pain. It acts as a spiritual link and is much needed to activate and influence the system as it travels throughout the body. The receiver may feel varying types of sensations due to the effects of clearing in the body. They are a testament that reiki does work. The different types of energy sensations that may be felt as energy is unblocked include tingling, warmth, twitching, sensing colours and shapes as well as involuntary movements, coolness or pops.

Even if it is not sensed reiki is still working. The inner self is doing the healing as it accepts what is flowing through them. This is again because the reiki practitioner is only a channel which the energy is drawn through. The practitioner needs to maintain and have the highest intent and respect for the receiver.

Benefits of Reiki:

Reiki is a safe, non-invasive and gentle way to increase energy and reduce pain. It produces deep relaxation and a general feeling of well-being as well as decreasing feelings stress and anxiety. We can achieve all these benefits and more when we learn to accept, receive and give Reiki. A practitioner is a channel for this to enter and extend to another. When a person is ready to release the root cause and to heal themselves on mental and emotional levels then reiki has an intelligence of its own and will do what it has to do for the highest good of the individual. Reiki boosts the immune system and provides relief. This by the clearing of blocks and interferences that influence our vibration at a cellular level. Without these influences our physical health and well-being flourishes.

The Science Behind Reiki:

Hertz (Hz) is a SI unit of frequency with 1 Hertz equal to 1 cycle per second. During reiki, Hz from a practitioner’s hands have been scientifically measured and recorded. Additionally, the Alpha waves (i.e. the meditative state of the mind) brought about due to deep relaxation have also been detected. When the practitioner turns their reiki on, they enter an Alpha brainwave state and their hands illuminate. There have been special photographs taken of the hands and their energy of has been measured. Pulsing together with the earth's magnetic field, the practitioner’s hands have at least at 1,000 x more energy than normal. Alpha brainwaves have been shown to go up from 03 to 30 Hz with the majority being measured at 7-8Hz and 8-10Hz.

Reiki is non-denominational and multi-cultural so is accepted in hospitals prisons and among all people.